Tracking Products with Chain of Custody using IOT Devices

ABSTRACT

Methods for chain of custody tracking for an object are described. Several sets of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors are organized in a network. Each set of sensors is configured to record one or more events relating to the object. Each event includes an event time, an event location, and an entity that is a custodian for the object at the time of the event. When the object changes custodians, proper custodianship is verified based on input from at least one set of IoT sensors.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to tracking products, and morespecifically, to tracking products with chain of custody, using Internetof Things devices. Chain of custody (CoC), in the contexts of food anddrug items, refers to the chronological documentation showing theseizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of thoseitems. CoC is very important when something goes wrong, for example,when a food or drug is contaminated and food borne diseases impact thepopulation. CoC is equally important for medical samples, such as blood,urine etc., to ensure they have not been contaminated or tampered withwhen moved from point A to point B.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the internetworking of physical devices,vehicles, buildings, and other items embedded with electronics,software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable thesedevices to collect and exchange data. The IoT allows objects to besensed and/or controlled remotely across existing networkinfrastructure, creating opportunities for more direct integration ofthe physical world into computer-based systems, and resulting inimproved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit in addition toreduced human intervention.

“Things,” in the IoT sense, can refer to a wide variety of devices suchas heart monitoring implants, biochip transponders on farm animals,electric clams in coastal waters, automobiles with built-in sensors, DNAanalysis devices for environmental/food/pathogen monitoring or fieldoperation devices that assist firefighters in search and rescueoperations. These devices collect useful data with the help of variousexisting technologies and then autonomously flow the data between otherdevices.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, methods areprovided for chain of custody tracking for an object. Several sets ofInternet of Things (IoT) sensors are organized in a network. Each set ofsensors is configured to record one or more events relating to theobject. Each event includes an event time, an event location, and anentity that is a custodian for the object at the time of the event. Whenthe object changes custodians, proper custodianship is verified based oninput from at least one set of IoT sensors. If the verification fails, anumber of different actions may be taken, as will be described infurther detail below.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the description anddrawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of how an object is transferred through a CoC,in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a computer system for chain of custodytracking for an object, in accordance with one embodiment.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments of the invention pertain to techniques for CoCtracking for an object, using IoT sensors. The various embodimentsdescribed herein can be applied for physical objects, such as food ormedical products or samples, as well as virtual objects such as emails,e-documents, Intellectual Property (e.g., trade secrets), confidentialmaterials, and so on. The CoC is defined in a systematic workflow plan(i.e., an organized sequence of tasks), which is typically created andassociated with the object when the object is created or when the objectis received at the front end of the CoC.

As the object moves through the CoC, IoT sensors organized in networksautomatically track and verify proper custodianship of the object interms of “who,” “when,” and “where,” whenever an event for the object isrecorded by the IoT sensors, to ensure that the custodianship of theobject is in compliance with a workflow plan that has been establishedfor the object. If any discrepancies are discovered, a variety ofactions can be taken, as will be described below. With reference now tothe drawings, a number of embodiments of the invention will be describedby way of example.

EXAMPLE 1

In a first embodiment, IoT sensors are organized in an objectownership/custodian relationship. IoT sensors that are associated withan owner/custodian communicate with IoT sensors that are associated withthe object, and the relationship is established through thecommunication channels between the IoT sensors. Information can beexchanged between the IoT sensors, for example, using the Internetprotocol (IP).

For example, with reference to FIG. 1, in a patient sample collectionsystem in a hospital 100, several collection specialists work atdifferent collection stations 102 a-c to collect samples 104 a-c fromeach patient. Immediately after the samples 104 a-c are collected, theownership is associated with the collection specialists. Next thesamples 104 a-c are transferred via a transportation system 106 todifferent laboratories 108 and 110. At that moment, the ownership isinstead associated with the transportation system 106. After reachingthe laboratories 108, 110, the ownership is associated with thereceiving stations 112, 114. Further, when samples 104 a-c aredistributed to separate lab testing stations 116 a-c, for example,depending on the sample type, the ownership is transferred to the labtesting stations 116 a-c. Finally, when the samples 104 a-c are sent tostorage, the ownership is transferred to the storage. At each step ofthis CoC, the IoT devices record the ownership transfer and the recordedinformation is stored for future use.

In one embodiment, at each stage of the object ownership and custody, agroup of IoT sensors verifies, based on a multi-level authentication,that the object is under control by a proper owner or custodian.Multi-level authentication in this context means authentication based onseveral levels, for example, based on security or other requirements,such as protocols. Some examples of multi-level authentication include,for example, PIN codes, passwords, biometric, or remote authenticationand confirmation. The system can also confirm with the proper workflowplans. For example, a storage system cannot become a custodian beforethe lab testing station, and so on.

If the custodianship is not verifiable or cannot be authenticated at anypoint in the CoC, this irregularity is logged in a central system (or ina cloud computing environment) and an appropriate authority, forexample, a system administrator or someone up in the custodian chain, isnotified about the irregularity and/or asked to take an appropriateaction.

When an object changes hand from one custodian to another—a propertripartite handshake takes place among the object, the prior custodianand the new custodian to ensure that the ownership is updated for allfeatures, attributes and aspects of the object. In one embodiment, thehand-over from one custodian to the next one is done by passing a token.For example, at any given time there can be a single copy of the token,which contains the identity of the current custodian. The token caneither be associated with or be centrally stored at a supervisory deviceor computer, or both. The token can be used where the object is a “softobject,” such as a file stored in a computer. In some embodiments, thetoken can ensure that the custodian may only keep the soft object for acertain time, or prevent the custodian from making any additional copiesof the soft object.

In the context of a sample, some examples of attributes include: patientname or ID, collection dates and time etc. Features include, forexample, the kind of sample (blood, urine, etc.). Aspects include otherimportant items, for example, what system was used to collect thesample, the time the sample will be transferred to the next station inthe CoC, and so on.

EXAMPLE 2

In a second embodiment of the invention, the object comes in a lockedenvironment. The “locked environment” can be either a physical lock fora physical object, which cannot be accessed without a proper key orother unlocking mechanism. In the context of a virtual object, the lockcan be, for example, an encryption key. In both situations, the lockedobject can only be opened when a proper custodian is ready to accept theobject and is a holder of the proper key for opening the lock.

EXAMPLE 3

In a third embodiment of the invention, a virtual or physical object canself-destruct if intrusion or tampering with the object is suspected,and proper custody cannot be established after several attempts. Forexample, there may be situations in which it is better to destroycertain information (e.g., social security numbers, credit card numbers,medical records, etc.), and possibly restore it later, rather thanhaving the information get into the wrong hands.

EXAMPLE 4

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a virtual or physical objectlocks itself with a more secure key or higher order of encryption if theobject suspects intrusion or tampering and a proper custody cannot beestablished after several attempts. This is similar to what wasdescribed in Example 3 above. The more secure key for unlocking theobject can be owned, for example, by someone higher in the authoritychain.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a computer system in which variousembodiments of the present invention can be implemented. As shown inFIG. 2, the computer system 12 may include, but are not limited to, oneor more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus18 that couples various system components including system memory 28 toprocessor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus.

Computer system 12 typically includes a variety of computer systemreadable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessibleby computer system 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enablecomputer system/server 12 to communicate with one or more othercomputing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O)interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system 12 can communicate with one ormore networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide areanetwork (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via networkadapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the othercomponents of computer system 12 via bus 18. It should be understoodthat although not shown, other hardware and/or software components couldbe used in conjunction with computer system 12. Examples, include, butare not limited to: microcode, device drivers, and redundant processingunits.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for chain of custody tracking for anobject, comprising: organizing a plurality of sets of Internet of Things(IoT) sensors in a network, wherein each set of sensors is configured torecord one or more events relating to the object, each event includingan event time, an event location, and an entity that is a custodian forthe object at the time of the event; and in response to the objectchanging custodians, verifying proper custodianship based on informationreceived from at least one set of IoT sensors.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the object is one of: a physical object, and a virtual object.3. The method of claim 1, wherein a first set of IoT sensors in theplurality of sets of IoT sensors is associated with the object and asecond set of IoT sensors in the plurality of sets of IoT sensors isassociated with a custodian, and wherein proper custodianship isverified based on information exchanged between the first and second setof IoT sensors.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein proper custodianshipis verified through multi-level authentication.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising: in response to the object changing custodians,performing a tripartite handshake to ensure that the new custodianshipis updated for all features, attributes and aspects of the object. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the object is in a locked environment andcan only be opened by a custodian having a proper key for unlocking theobject.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response tobeing unable to verify proper custodianship, performing one or more ofthe following actions: notifying an appropriate authority, locking theobject, self-destructing the object, and locking the object with a moresecure key than a current key.